Dear friend,
On Wednesday at midnight, the Labour Party will close its consultation asking what issues it should prioritise in its 2019 General Election Manifesto.
Here are some points you can make, in your own words:
1. Stop using public money to promote weapons sales
Close the Government's arms sales department which employs 150 staff to push weapons sales globally; end Ministry of Defence-funded ‘campaigns’ promoting arms equipment; and make arms companies pay the insurance on arms exports, not the taxpayer.
2. Stop selling arms to countries in conflict or violating human rights
End all arms sales to Saudi Arabia, where UK fighter planes and missiles have been used in the war on Yemen. Figures published today show that the Government has licensed £2 billion worth of arms sales to repressive regimes since 2017. The Labour Party has rightly criticised these sales, and should pledge to end them.
3. Improve Parliamentary scrutiny of UK weapons sales
The existing Parliamentary Committees on Arms Export Controls are utterly failing in their role of holding the government to account. For a truly rigorous and robust arms export system we need a full Select Committee on Arms Export Controls with an elected, paid chair, and staff team.
4. Create jobs in renewable energy and low carbon technology industries
As part of a new industrial strategy, a Defence Diversification Agency should build on the skills of arms industry workers to create good quality, alternative jobs that make the world a safer place.
5. Rethink how we define ‘security’
A new Government must radically rethink its understanding of ‘security’, going beyond military problems with military solutions, which only make the world a more dangerous place. Resources should be invested in addressing the real causes of insecurity.
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If you're a member or supporter of another political party, we'll let you know about other ways you can keep up the pressure soon. For now, thank you for all that you do.
Warmly
Caroline
Campaign Against Arms Trade
P.S. For more in depth information to include, check out our Election 2019 webpages.